ATHENS, Ohio – The Ohio volleyball team (10-8,4-3 MAC) started its weekend with a lost to Buffalo (11-9,3-5 MAC) in 5 sets (29-27, 19-25, 25-22, 21-25, 12-15) inside the Convocation Center on Friday (Oct. 14).

The Ohio Bobcats were out hit by the Bulls, with Buffalo hitting .222 with 66 kills compared to Ohio's .188 and 58 kills.

The Bobcats started off the match strong, jumping out to an early 5-1. Ohio maintained its lead until Buffalo tied the set up at 21-21. The Bulls managed to tie the set up again at 27-27, forcing the final score to 29-27 before Ohio could take set one.

Set two was a competitive matchup between the Bobcats and the Bulls. Despite four lead changes, Ohio was never able to regain the lead, ultimately dropping the set 25-19.

The Bobcats entered set three looking to bounce back and extend their lead 2-1. Ohio started off the set by taking a 7-3 lead, sustaining it until the score was tied back up at 13-13. However, the Bobcats never allowed Buffalo to capture the lead, and took the set 25-22.

The fifth set began with Ohio having a slim 3-1 margin over the Bulls. This winner-takes-all set was ultra-competitive with six ties and three lead changes. Buffalo took set five 15-12, capturing the 3-2 win. 

The Bobcats were led by sophomore outside hitter Caroline Clippard (Cincinnati, Ohio), who tallied 12 kills on a .458 hitting percentage. Senior setter Parker Kwiatkowski (Grand Rapids, Mich.) led Ohio in assists with 52 and posted a double-double with 11 digs. Defensively, junior libero Same Steele (Omaha, Neb.) led the match with 22 digs, while senior opposite hitter Olivia Margolies (Galena, Ohio) recorded a double-double og her own with 21 digs and 11 assist.

The Bobcats will look to even the series against Buffalo tomorrow on Oct. 15 at 4 p.m. ET.